Get Connected!

MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals
news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on
every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service,
MASN has got all the bases covered.

Some stats & facts from the first two games

*Today the Orioles go for a three-game sweep at St. Pete vs. Tampa. They have not swept three from the Rays in their home park since September 30 to October 1, 2005.

The Orioles have now won six of their last seven games vs. Tampa and are 4-1 at the Trop during that stretch. They now lead the all-time series, 113-111, vs. the Rays.

*The Orioles have won these two games despite scoring just seven runs on 11 hits and with a team batting average of .175 to date.

But O's pitching has allowed just two runs to the Rays and starters Jeremy Guthrie and Chris Tillman have combined to pitch 14 scoreless innings while allowing only three hits.

Tampa batters are just 3 for 44 for an .068 average vs. Orioles starters this weekend.

*It was not that long ago when the O's began a season at 2-0. In fact it was just two years ago in 2009 when they opened at home with 10-5 and 7-5 wins over the Yankees.

*The Orioles had just a pair of three-game sweeps vs. AL East opponents last season. They swept Boston at home from April 30-May 2 and Toronto at home from September 13-15. That was their only three wins vs. the Blue Jays in 2010.

*The Orioles did not win their third game last year until the 19th game.

*Chris Tillman pitched six no-hit innings Saturday night but left the game with his pitch count at 101. Just last April 28, he did pitch a nine-inning no-hitter for the Norfolk Tides vs. Gwinnett.

Until his great outing on Saturday, Tillman was 0-2, 6.53 in four career starts vs. Tampa.

*Brian Roberts drove in two runs Friday and had three RBI last night. So he starts the season with back-to-back multi-RBI games. Last year, he had just two of those all year in 59 games.

*Toronto has scored 19 runs during its 2-0 start while the Yankees have scored 16 runs in winning their first two contests. The O's have scored just seven runs so far. Boston has begun 0-2 while giving up 21 runs to Texas.

Does the 2-0 start help Britton?: In winning the season's first two games, maybe the Orioles made things a little easier today when Zach Britton makes his Major League debut. It's a big day for him and he figures to have to deal with some nerves, but at least he doesn't have to deal with trying to get the O's their first win or taking the mound less than 24 hours after a ninth-inning, blown lead. Should help him a little I would guess.